In the meantime, Darius's captains, having collected large forces,
were encamped on the further bank of the river Granicus, and it was necessary
to fight, as it were, in the gate of Asia for an entrance into it. The
depth of the river, with the unevenness and difficult ascent of the opposite
bank, which was to be gained by main force, was apprehended by most, and
some pronounced it an improper time to engage, because it was unusual for
the kings of Macedonia to march with their forces in the month called Daesius.
But Alexander broke through these scruples, telling them they should call
it a second Artemisius. And when Parmenio advised him not to attempt anything
that day, because it was late, he told him that he should disgrace the
Hellespont should he fear the Granicus. And so, without more saying, he
immediately took the river with thirteen troops of horse, and advanced
against whole showers of darts thrown from the steep opposite side, which
was covered with armed multitudes of the enemy's horse and foot, notwithstanding
the disadvantage of the ground and the rapidity of the stream; so that
the action seemed to have more frenzy and desperation in it, than of prudent
conduct. However, he persisted obstinately to gain the passage, and at
last with much ado making his way up the banks, which were extremely muddy
and slippery, he had instantly to join in a mere confused hand-to-hand
combat with the enemy, before he could draw up his men, who were still
passing over, into any order. For the enemy pressed upon him with loud
and warlike outcries; and charging horse against horse, with their lances,
after they had broken and spent these, they fell to it with their swords.
And Alexander, being easily known by his buckler, and a large plume of
white feathers on each side of his helmet, was attacked on all sides, yet
escaped wounding, though his cuirass was pierced by a javelin in one of
the joinings. And Rhoesaces and Spithridates, two Persian commanders, falling
upon him at once, he avoided one of them, and struck at Rhoesaces, who
had a good cuirass on, with such force that, his spear breaking in his
hand, he was glad to betake himself to his dagger. While they were thus
engaged, Spithridates came up on one side of him, and raising himself upon
his horse, gave him such a blow with his battle-axe on the helmet that
he cut off the crest of it, with one of his plumes, and the helmet was
only just so far strong enough to save him, that the edge of the weapon
touched the hair of his head. But as he was about to repeat his stroke,
Clitus, called the black Clitus, prevented him, by running him through
the body with his spear. At the same time Alexander despatched Rhoesaces
with his sword. While the horse were thus dangerously engaged, the Macedonian
phalanx passed the river, and the foot on each side advanced to fight.
But the enemy hardly sustaining the first onset soon gave ground and fled,
all but the mercenary Greeks, who, making a stand upon a rising ground,
desired quarter, which Alexander, guided rather by passion than judgment,
refused to grant, and charging them himself first, had his horse (not Bucephalus,
but another) killed under him. And this obstinacy of his to cut off these
experienced desperate men cost him the lives of more of his own soldiers
than all the battle before, besides those who were wounded. The Persians
lost in this battle twenty thousand foot and two thousand five hundred
horse. On Alexander's side, Aristobulus says there were not wanting above
four-and-thirty, of whom nine were foot-soldiers; and in memory of them
he caused so many statues of brass, of Lysippus's making, to be erected.
And that the Grecians might participate in the honour of his victory he
sent a portion of the spoils home to them particularly to the Athenians
three hundred bucklers, and upon all the rest he ordered this inscription
to be set: "Alexander the son of Philip, and the Grecians, except
the Lacedaemonians, won these from the barbarians who inhabit Asia."
All the plate and purple garments, and other things of the same kind that
he took from the Persians, except a very small quantity which he reserved
for himself, he sent as a present to his mother.
Granicus,
Plutarch